Typewriter device for repetitively operating a typewriter key



April 4, 1950 D. H. WARD r TYPEWRITER DEVICE FOR REPETITIVELY OPERATING A TYPEWRITER KEY 3 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 29, 1946 Illl'] (inri'l'l'llllll IIIIIIJIIIIIIIIIIIIllllllllllllllllrlflll R w w, W dm m mm M H s a d 9M 0 D D. H. WARD TYPEWRITER DEVICE FOR REPETITIVELY April 4, 1950 OPERATING A TYPEWRITER KEY v 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 29, 1946 E. H uu a n Douglas H. Warez INVENTOR.

" ATTOPNEV Aprll 4, 1950 D.-H. WARD 2,502,494

TYPEWRITER DEVICE FOR REPETITIVELY OPERATING A TYPEWRITER KEY Filed March 29, 1946 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 F5 10. u ,v g

; mammalnq ugumnmh 4 Douglas H. War-d INVENTOR.

ATTOPNEY Patented Apr. 4, 1950 TYPEWRITER DEVICE FOR REPETITIV ELY OPERATING A TYPEWRITER KEY Douglas H. Ward, Woodside, N. Y.

Application March 29, 1946, Serial No. 658,194

(Granted under the act of March 3, 1883, as

.amended April 30, 1928; 370 0. G. 757) 7 Claims.

This invention relates in general to a typewriter accessory and in particular to apparatus and means for repetitively operating a typewriter key with a single stroke.

The device is arranged for automatic operation of selected keys of a typewriter, such as the dash key, and the dash underlining key for a predetermined number of strokes, up to and including the total number of strokes permitted by the full travel of the typewriter carriage, thereby permitting a typist (1) quickly and easily to prepare numbers, letters or words in tabular form, the letters, etc., being separated from each other by these typed lines; (2) quickly and easily to underline extensive lines of typing; and (3) quickly and easily to type continuous lines of type such as the period, dash or other symbol.

The device can be attached to practically any make of manually operated typewriter; however, it can be bodily incorporated into a typewriter by a manufacturer.

It is an object of this invention to provide apparatus for causing a selected typewriter key to be quickly and easily operated for a selected predetermined number of strokes.

It is another object to provide an attachment for a typewriter which is adapted to cause a selected typewriter key to be quickly and easily operated for a selected predetermined number of strokes.

Further objects and advantages of this invention, as well as its construction, arrangement and. operation will be apparent from the following description and claims in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is a vertical section of the principal mechanism.

Fig. 2 is a sectional plan view of the principal mechanism.

Fig. 3 is a vertical cross section of the principal mechanism.

Fig. 4 is an end view of the entire machine.

Fig. 5 is an end elevation of the attachment of one of the machines levers to a key lever of a typewriter by means of a link.

Fig. 6 is a side elevation of the attachment of one of the machines levers to a key lever of a typewriter by means of a link.

Fig. 7 is a plan View of the attachment of the machines lever link to a key lever of a typewriter.

Fig. 8 is a partial plan view of the machines key starting device.

Fig. 9 is a partial side elevation of the machines key starting device.

Fig. 10 is a partial sectional plan view of the brake device for stopping the machine and of the stroke timing mechanism.

Fig. 11 is a partial vertical section of the brake device for stopping the machine, the machines key starting device, and of the stroke timing mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a partial vertical cross section of the brake device for stopping the machine; the machines key starting device, and of the stroke time mechanism.

Fig. 13 is a plan view of the end support for the typewriter key operating shaft, indicating the typewriter key selector lever and showing a portion of the frame of a typewriter.

Fig. 14 is a side elevation of the end support for the typewriter key operating shaft, indicating the typewriter key selector lever and showing a section of the frame of a typewriter.

Fig. 15 is an elevation of the end support for the typewriter key operating shaft, indicating the typewriter key selector lever and showing a portion of the frame of a typewriter.

Fig. 16 is a partial end elevation of the principal mechanism indicating the method of securing the machine to a typewriter frame.

Fig. 17 is a partial vertical section at one end of the principal mechanism indicating the method of securing the machine to a typewriter frame.

The container l encloses and supports the mechanism of the prime mover. A movement downward of lever 2 turns shaft 3 rotating gear sector 4 upward against the tension of spring 5. The teeth of gear sector 4 receive those of pinion 6 which turns shaft 1 and ratchet gear 8 causing pawl 9, operated by spring I0, to be separated from ratchet gear 8. The prime mover is then ready for operation and can be started by pressing key II which forces lever l2 downward against the force of spring 42 and pivoting about screw 15, releases pawls l3 and i4. Pressing key II also forces brake link l5 downward. The force exerted by spring 5 acting downward on gear sector 4 causes pinion 6 to turn shaft 1 which causes ratchet gear 8 to turn and exert pressure on pawl 9 which turns gear IS. The teeth on gear l6 engage those of pinion 11 on shaft l8 which turns gear [9 the teeth of which engage and turn pinion 20. Shaft 2| is turned by pinion 28 which turns eccentric 22 thereby forcing link 23, which is attached thereto by screw 24, to oscillate vertically. Link 23 is attached to lever 25 by screw 12 and the vertical oscillation of link 23 causes a corresponding oscillation of lever 25. Lever 25 is attached to shaft 26. Levers 2! and 28 are attached to links 29 and 30 by pins 13. Links 29 and 30 are attached to keys of a typewriter. Shaft 26 is partly inserted into hollow shaft 32 which is free to rotate in the end support 33. The distance that shaft .26 can penetrate hollow shaft 32 will depend upon the width of a typewriter frame. Lever 3! is attached'to link 34 which is attached to and moves securing ring 35. Sleeve 36, which has a hollow square inside, is

moved along shaft 26 by securing ring :315 and is provided with teeth at each end arranged to engage the teeth of either lever 21 or 28. :Shaft 26 thereby operates either lever 21 or 28, and the typewriter keys attached thereto depending upon the position of lever 3!. Collars 31 and 38 secure levers 2'! and 28 against endwise motion along shaft 26. End support 33 is provided with screws 39 and 40 for securing an adjustment of same to a typewriter frame.

.Dial 43 is calibrated to indicate the number of strokes desired by a typewriter key, up to and including the total number of strokes permitted by the full travel of a typewriter carriage.

The number of strokes that it is desired to have made by a typewriter key is predetermined by turning dial 43 until the number desired is opposite to pointer 16.

To turn dial 43 it is necessary first to force it inward along shaft 60 toward the machine, against the pressure of spring 62, :in order to disengage the slots on the outer edge of dial 43 from catch :M. Dial 43 is secured to shaft Eli by pin 63 which moves .a slotted hole along shaft 60. The turning of dial 43 to the startin position desired for timing the mechanism also turns shaft 60, and lever 44, which is attached thereto.

As pawls l3 and [4 are disengaged from gear 45 by lever !2 when the device is not operating, gear 45 is also turned by spring 46 with pin 4"! in contact with lever '44.

When the whole mechanism is set in motion by pressureof key !-!,',the rotation of shaft '2! causes lever 48 to move upward and downward pivoting at pin 57, since shaft 2! .is partly cut away to form a cam :at the point .of contact with lever 48. The upward motion of lever 43 is caused by the turning of shaft 2! to its full diameter. The downward motion of lever 48 occurs when shaft 2'! has .turned to a position permitting lever 48 to be forced .downward'by spring 49 into the partly removed portion of shaft 21. The motion of lever "48 is imparted to pawl "l4 which is forced against .gear 45 by spring :59 thereby turning gear 45 counterclockwise and moving pin '4?! toward trigger E! which .is secured by screw .14. Pawl 13 also engages gear 45 by the pressure exerted by :spring 52 and prevents gear 45 from rotating clockwise due to the'force of spring 46, during the intervals when pawl I4 is disengaged from gear 45. Pin 4'! .on gear 45 continues to move counterclockwise away from the stationary lever 44, because of the motion imparted by pawl !4 until pin 4! strikes trigger which releases key ll.

Since the turning of gear 45 because of the action of pawl I4 would otherwise move lever 44 with it because of the tension .in spring :4 6., it :is necessary that shaft 6!) to which lever '44 is attached may be restrained from turning. This is accomplished by the locking of dial 4.3 to catch 6! which engages in slots on the outer edge of dial 43. The releasing of key ll permits spring 53 to force brake link 45 upward which moves brake band 54 into contact with brake drum 55 thereby causing the entire mechanism to stop working. An adjusting screw 56 is provided to move pin 51 which forces lever 48 toward or away from shaft 2!. An inclined slotted hole is provided in lever 48, at the cam of shaft 2! and the turning of screw '53 forceslever 48 :into a higher or lower position to obtain the exact timing position required for pawl !4, when engaging the teeth of gear 45.

In :event that the operator decides to stop the machine before it has run the total number of strokes of the typewriter key, as determined by the setting of dial 43, a key 58 is provided which when pressed downward will trip trigger 5! against the force of spring 59 thereby releasing key l which will stop the mechanism from running, and timing gear 45 will be released by pawls l3 and I4 and return pin 4! to the starting position against lever 44. Releasing of pressure :on key '58 permits trigger 5! to return to its normal position due to the upward force exerted by spring 53.

The inner bearing of shaft 18 is supported by column '64 and the bearings of shaft 2-! and the inner bearing of shaftSO are supported by hanger [i5 and bracket lit.

Bracket 6'! is provided to support lever l2, pawl 13, spring 5-3 and the shaft of key ll. Bracket 68 provides connections for pin 57, brake band pin E9 and spring 49.

Clips 4! secure the principal mechanism to a typewriter frame by means of screws 73 through clips H, which are attached to container I.

The apparatus according to this invention does not interfere with the normal operation of the typewriter. For example, the repeating apparatus that forms a ,part of this invention can be constantly left in .an unoperative or unset condition in which each key operates for a single stroke in the usual manner.

As previously .set forth the apparatus according to this invention may comprise an integral part of the typewriter as it leaves the manufacturer, or alternatively, it maycomprise an attachment which is placed :on any typewriterzafter its completion. Numerous structural adaptations necessary to permit the use of an attachment according to this invention on special types of typewriters will obviously be within the ability of those skilled in the art.

Changes can be made in this invention without departing from the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.

The invention described herein may be manufactured and used by or for the Government of the United States of America for governmental purposes without the payment of any royalties thereon or therefor.

What is claimed is:

1. In a typewriter an attachenrent for causing repeated actuaticn of at least one selected typewriter key, said attachment comprising a motor, a driven shaft rotatedby said-motor, an actuating shaft, linkage interconnecting said driven and actuating shafts so that rotation of said driven shaft will cause oscillation of said actuating shaft, linkage from said actuating shaft to at least one typewriter key, a clutch on said actuating shaft for selectively engaging the actuating shaft with the linkage to at least one typewriter key to cause repeated actuation of the .key upon oscillation of the actuating shaft, a brake that is open ative to restrain said driven shaft to prevent oscillation of said actuating :s'haft, resilient means for urging said brake into operative position, a trigger that is operative for retaining the brake in inoperative position so that said driven shaft may rotate and cause oscillation of said actuating shaft, resilient means for urging said trigger into operative position, a ratchet wheel mounted adjacent said trigger for rotation with respect to said trigger, a lever adjacent said ratchet wheel, means for oscillating said lever upon rotation of said driven shaft, a ratchet mounted on said lever for engagement with said ratchet wheel so that rotation of said driven shaft and oscillation of said lever will cause said ratchet to rotate said ratchet wheel through an angle proportional to the angle of rotation of said driven shaft and the number of oscillations of said actuating shaft, a pin on said ratchet wheel mounted for engagement with said trigger, and means for rotating the ratchet wheel to withdraw said pin from said trigger through an angle proportional to a predetermined number of oscillations of said actuating shaft so that upon oscillation of said actuating shaft the predetermined number of times said wheel will be rotated through the angle of Withdrawal to cause said pin to upset said trigger so that said brake operates to arrest the driven shaft and prevent further oscillation of said actuating shaft.

2. In a machine having a part adapted for repeated actuation, an attachment comprising a motor, a driven element coupled to said motor for actuation at all times when said motor operates, means connecting said driven element and the part to cause repeated actuation of the part by said driven element, means operative to lock said driven element against actuation, means coupled to said driven element and operative after a predetermined degree of actuation of said driven element to actuate said locking means to lock said driven element and motor against actuation, and manual control means for selectively actuating said locking means at the discretion of an operator.

3. In a machine having a part adapted for repeated actuation, an attachment comprising a motor, a driven shaft coupled to said motor for rotation at all times when said motor operates, means connecting said driven shaft and the part to cause repeated actuation of the part by said driven shaft, means operative to lock said driven shaft against rotation, means coupled to said driven shaft and operative after a predetermined rotation of said driven shaft to actuate said looking means to lock said driven shaft and motor against actuation, and manual control means for selectively actuating said locking means at the discretion of an operator.

4. In a machine having a part adapted for repeated actuation, an attachment comprising a motor, a driven shaft coupled to said motor for rotation at all times when said motor operates, means connecting said driven shaft and the part to cause repeated actuation of the part by said driven shaft, a brake operative to restrain said driven shaft against rotation, a trigger for retaining said brake in inoperative position to permit rotation of said driven shaft, means coupled to said driven shaft and operative after a predetermined rotation of said driven shaft to upset said trigger so that said brake operates to lock said driven shaft and motor against operation, and manual control means for selectively upsetting said trigger at the discretion of an operator.

5. In a machine having a part adapted for repeated actuation, an attachment comprising a motor; a driven shaft coupled to said motor for rotation thereby; means connecting said driven shaft and the part to cause repeated actuation of the part by said driven shaft; a brake operative to restrain said driven shaft against rotation; a trigger for retaining said brake in inoperative position to permit rotation of said driven shaft; and means for upsetting said trigger including a second shaft adapted to be fixed in a selected position, a ratchet wheel freely rotatable on said second shaft, an arm fixed to said second shaft for rotation therewith, a pin fixedly mounted on said Wheel and adapted to contact said arm, spring means for urging said wheel into position with said pin in contact with said arm, and a pawl actuated by said driven shaft for rotating said ratchet wheel to withdraw said pin from said arm, said trigger being disposed in the path of movement Of said pin.

6. In a machine a driven shaft; a brake operative to restrain said driven shaft against rotation; a trigger for retaining said brake in inoperative position; and means for upsetting said trigger including a second shaft adapted to be fixed in a selected position, a wheel freely rotatable on said second shaft, an arm fixed to said shaft for rotation therewith, a pin fixedly mounted on said wheel and adapted to contact said arm, spring means for urging said wheel into position with said pin in contact with said arm, and means coupling said wheel to said driven shaft for rotation therewith to withdraw said pin from said arm, said trigger being disposed in the path of movement of said pin.

'7. In a machine having a part adapted for repeated actuation, an attachment comprising a motor, a driven element coupled to said motor for actuation at all times when said motor operates, means connecting said driven element and the part to cause repeated actuation of the part by said driven element, means operative to lock said driven element against actuation, and means coupled to said driven element and operative after a predetermined degree of actuation of said driven element to actuate said locking means to lock said driven element and motor against actuation, said last means including index means adapted to be manually set by an operator in a position corresponding to said predetermined degree of actuation, said index means remaining fixed during said predetermined degree of actuation so that repetition of the predetermined degree of actuation can be effected Without resetting said index means.

DOUGLAS H. WARD.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 530,264 Faust Dec. 4, 1894 982,138 Johnson Jan. 17, 1911 1,153,651 Voelker Sept. 14, 1915 1,480,613 I-Iowell Jan. 15, 1924 1,704,189 Goldberg Mar. 5, 1929 2,022,362 Porter Nov. 26, 1935 2,287,100 Hediger June 23, 1942 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 288,395 Germany of 1915 

